Lepidotes (from Greek: λεπιδωτός lepidōtós, 'covered with scales') (previously known as Lepidotus)[5] is an extinct genus of Mesozoic ray-finned fish.

It has long been considered a wastebasket taxon, characterised by "general features, such as thick rhomboid scales and, for most of the species, by semi-tritorial or strongly tritorial dentition".

[7] Inhabiting both freshwater lakes and shallow seas, Lepidotes was typically about 30 centimetres (12 in) long.

This allowed the jaws to be stretched into a 'tube' so that the fish could suck in prey from a greater distance than in previous species.

[12] The scales are smooth and shiny on the external surface, with only a few small depressions scattered toward the centre that are shaped like punctures.

[12] Stomach contents of Lepidotes from the Early Jurassic of Germany have found remains of crustacean cuticles, and it is suggested that they fed on relatively soft-bodied prey, which was grasped with the slender marginal teeth, before being crushed by the rounded palatal teeth.